Travel reviews by Stevens from Utah
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
1
My Jun 2022 trip
Botswana and 1 other country between 18 Jun 2022 and 4 Jul 2022
"Maruska worked with us on this trip and really tailored it to our interests. We got to see more animals than we ever expected and up very close. The level of service from staff and the quality of lodging and dining were as she described.
In addition, due to her vigilance, we were able to rescue the trip from disaster when British Airways suddenly cancelled our flight to Zimbabwe with a 2 week notice. She had prepared us for this so we had a back up plan. Also, she gave us very good COVID traveling advice which we followed to the letter and things went very smoothly with all border transitions.
Overall, the trip was a much needed break from the stress of the last 2 years. Out in the safari car with the wind in our faces, looking for animals was mentally, spiritually and physically rejuvenating. This was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Thanks to everyone at Expert Africa!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: The trip was excellent. It would be nice to be able to log into my trip and see all the documents and advice I need with one click. The value was fabulous and Maruska is the best!
We kept joking, "Just do what Maruska says and you will be happy!"
In addition, due to her vigilance, we were able to rescue the trip from disaster when British Airways suddenly cancelled our flight to Zimbabwe with a 2 week notice. She had prepared us for this so we had a back up plan. Also, she gave us very good COVID traveling advice which we followed to the letter and things went very smoothly with all border transitions.
Overall, the trip was a much needed break from the stress of the last 2 years. Out in the safari car with the wind in our faces, looking for animals was mentally, spiritually and physically rejuvenating. This was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Thanks to everyone at Expert Africa!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: The trip was excellent. It would be nice to be able to log into my trip and see all the documents and advice I need with one click. The value was fabulous and Maruska is the best!
We kept joking, "Just do what Maruska says and you will be happy!"
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Ilala Lodge
"Ilala Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
21 Jun 2022
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Ra-Ikane River Cruise
"Ra-Ikane River Cruise review"
23 Jun 2022 • All-day excursion
What a delightful and calming trip.
This was a highlight for us. Turned out to be private!
Lovely food and very knowledgeable and personable captain.
This was a highlight for us. Turned out to be private!
Lovely food and very knowledgeable and personable captain.
Chobe Under Canvas
"Chobe Under Canvas review"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Jun 2022
"This place was fantastic. This was the best of the safari camps.
More rustic but staff was phenomenal. Food cooked over an open fire was gourmet and very tasty.
Very nice service and lots of animal sightings. No night drives since this was in the park and some sightings were crowded.
Chobe guide was phenomenal--a nearly spiritual experience.
Overall, a total delight and a great variety."
More rustic but staff was phenomenal. Food cooked over an open fire was gourmet and very tasty.
Very nice service and lots of animal sightings. No night drives since this was in the park and some sightings were crowded.
Chobe guide was phenomenal--a nearly spiritual experience.
Overall, a total delight and a great variety."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Chobe Safari Lodge
"Chobe Safari Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
26 Jun 2022
"They were very gracious to accommodate us on very short notice.
Service wasn't at the level of the other lodges, nor was food quality but there was a good quantity of decent food.
Very glad they could help us out."
Service wasn't at the level of the other lodges, nor was food quality but there was a good quantity of decent food.
Very glad they could help us out."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Lebala Camp
"Lebala Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Jun 2022
"Very upscale and lovely rooms. I loved the bathtub!
More "civilized" than Chobe under Canvas so a nice change. Staff was welcoming and guide was good.
The guide at Labala was very knowledgeable but less passionate.
Food and other guests were again top notch."
More "civilized" than Chobe under Canvas so a nice change. Staff was welcoming and guide was good.
The guide at Labala was very knowledgeable but less passionate.
Food and other guests were again top notch."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Splash Camp
"Splash Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
29 Jun 2022
"Also very elegant lodging with great shower. Very large rooms.
Guide here was also fantastic and had a near encyclopaedic knowledge of the wildlife. Worked very hard to make sure we got the best viewings and spent time at dinner telling us local stories.
Food also fabulous with one night local meal that really stood out. Very engaging staff and great service."
Guide here was also fantastic and had a near encyclopaedic knowledge of the wildlife. Worked very hard to make sure we got the best viewings and spent time at dinner telling us local stories.
Food also fabulous with one night local meal that really stood out. Very engaging staff and great service."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
Many sightings
Cheetah
Many sightings
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Hippo
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Wild dog
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Breakfast was wonderful. Dinner was less inspiring--not as much flavor.
Fabulous location with walking distance to the falls. We also had great concierge help and scheduled some fantastic tours."